Lawmaker looking for victims of shoddy contractors

Updated 11:07 pm, Monday, February 18, 2013

MILFORD -- Identifying herself a victim of a slipshod home improvement job, state Rep. Kim Rose, of Milford, is asking those in similar straits to trek to Hartford on Thursday so they can tell their stories to the state Legislature.

Rose is pushing a bill that would require contractors to demonstrate competency before getting their licenses.

"The way it stands now, you or I could go in and pay our $220 to the state of Connecticut and register as a contractor, and we wouldn't have to provide any proof that we had any skill whatsoever," she said. "We wouldn't even have to show any knowledge of building codes."

Rose said that in her case, a "licensed" contractor botched a new roof on her Naugatuck Avenue home, and the subsequent leaks caused $40,000 in damage.

Rose noted that even though contractors refer to themselves as "licensed," "in reality, they're only registered."

She said that real estate agents, by contrast, are required to take 60 hours of instruction before getting their licenses.

A vast array of other vocations, from lawyers and medical doctors to hairdressers and plumbers, must also demonstrate competency.

Rose's bill is HB 5149: An Act Concerning Testing and Licensing of Home Improvement Contractors. It's being considered by the General Law Committee.

"There are a number of contractors, honest contractors, who know what they're doing, who will be testifying in support of my bill," she said.

She apologized for the short notice, but the hearing on her bill was just scheduled a week ago, she said.

Those who are interested in testifying can contact her at 800-842-8267 or by email at kim.rose@cga.ct.gov.